ABSTRACT
An infrared camera for astronomical research has been developed at the Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Advanced Space Sensing. A series of observations in December 1990 at the 2.3-meter Wyoming Infrared Observatory (WIRO) yielded new astronomical images of the star forming regions M42/IRc 1, NGC 2264/IRS1 and NGC 7538/IRS1 at 12 and 20 microns, in addition to images of a variety of stellar calibrators. Based on a 10x50 element, Si:As BIBIB/SWIFET hybrid array fabricated at Rockwell International, this camera system (IRCAM) achieves its peak sensitivity between 18-22 microns, making it well matched for observing in the 20 micron atmospheric window. Substantial sensitivity is also available at 10 microns so that near simultaneous observations are feasible through both windows. IRCAM employs four, (Delta lambda -> 1.0 microns) filters at 8, 10, 12 and 12.4 microns; a broad band filter: 18-24 microns, as well as standard K, L, and M filters. The array field of view is 20" x 100" with 1.6" pixels surrounded by 0.4" dead space, allowing diffraction limited observing at 20 microns with a 2.3-meter telescope. In this paper, we describe the camera system, and present the results of the astronomical observations conducted at the Wyoming Infrared Observatory.